US work visas for Indian citizens

Primary work visa for tech professionals with specialty degrees.

Processing time

3-6 months (Premium: 15 days)

Validity

3 years, extendable to 6 years

Government fees

$780 I-129 (std; $460 small employer) + $500 fraud prevention + $600 Asylum Program Fee + optional $2,965 premium; $205 visa fee

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in computer science, engineering, or related field
• Job offer from US employer in specialty occupation
• Employer must file LCA and pay prevailing wage
• Selected in annual lottery (if cap-subject)

Documents you will need

• Valid passport (6+ months): Indian passport with validity
• DS-160 confirmation: Online application form
• Degree certificates + transcripts: All educational credentials
• Employment verification letters: From all previous employers
• Pay stubs/tax returns: Last 3 years if possible
• Credential evaluation: From NACES-approved evaluator

Worth knowing

• High competition in H-1B lottery - consider cap-exempt employers
• Universities, research institutions are cap-exempt
• US Master's degree gives additional 20,000 visa slots
• Consider EB-1A/O-1A for highly accomplished professionals
• Start green card process early due to long backlogs

Restrictions

• Green card wait times for Indian nationals can exceed 10+ years
• H-1B tied to employer - job loss means finding new sponsor quickly
• H-4 EAD for spouse has faced legal challenges

Path to residency: EB-2/EB-3 sponsorship (significant backlog for Indian nationals)

Required for short business trips or tourism. Cannot work or study full-time.

Processing time

Varies by embassy - can be days to months

Validity

Up to 10 years (multiple entry), stays limited to 6 months per entry

Government fees

$185 application fee

Requirements

• Demonstrate strong ties to home country
• Proof of temporary intent (will return home)
• Sufficient funds for trip
• Clear purpose of visit
• No immigrant intent

Documents you will need

• DS-160 confirmation: Online nonimmigrant visa application
• Valid passport: 6+ months validity beyond intended stay
• Passport photo: Recent 2x2 inch photo
• Proof of ties to home country: Employment letter, property, family ties
• Bank statements: Last 3-6 months showing sufficient funds
• Travel itinerary (optional): Flight reservations, hotel bookings
• Invitation letter (optional): If visiting for business meetings

Worth knowing

• Be prepared to explain your trip clearly at the interview
• Bring supporting documents even if not explicitly required
• Strong ties to home country are crucial for approval
• Cannot work or engage in productive employment
• B-1 allows business meetings, conferences, negotiations but not employment
• India is not in the Visa Waiver Program - B-1/B-2 visa required for visits

Restrictions

• Cannot work or receive payment from US sources
• Cannot study full-time (only short recreational courses)
• Max 6 months per entry
• Must demonstrate non-immigrant intent

For tech professionals with exceptional achievements.

Processing time

2-4 months (Premium: 15 days)

Validity

Up to 3 years, renewable

Government fees

$1,055 I-129 (std; $530 small employer) + optional $2,965 premium; $205 visa fee

Requirements

• Sustained national/international acclaim
• Meet 3 of 8 criteria for extraordinary ability
• Advisory opinion from peer group
• Continued work in field of expertise

Documents you will need

• Evidence portfolio: Patents, publications, awards, press
• Peer letters (5-10): From recognized experts
• Salary evidence (optional): Proof of high compensation
• Speaking/judging evidence (optional): Conference talks, hackathon judging

Worth knowing

• No annual cap - can apply anytime
• Strong alternative to H-1B for senior engineers
• GitHub contributions, Stack Overflow reputation can be evidence
• Avoid green card backlog by using O-1A + EB-1A path
• Document speaking at major tech conferences

Path to residency: EB-1A self-petition (shorter wait than EB-2/EB-3)

For transfer within multinational company with specialized knowledge.

Processing time

3-6 months

Validity

3 years, max 5 years

Government fees

$1,385 I-129 (std; $695 small employer) + $500 fraud prevention + $4,500 (50+ staff & >50% H/L) + optional $2,965 premium

Requirements

• Employed by qualifying multinational for 1+ year
• Specialized knowledge of company systems/products
• Transfer to US office of same company

Documents you will need

• Employment verification: From foreign employer
• Specialized knowledge evidence: Training, projects, expertise
• Organizational charts: Showing role and reporting

Worth knowing

• Good option for those working at multinationals (TCS, Infosys, etc.)
• No lottery required
• Consider if already working for company with US presence

Path to residency: EB-2/EB-3 (same backlog challenges)

For executives and managers transferring within a multinational company.

Processing time

3-6 months (Premium available)

Validity

Up to 7 years maximum

Government fees

$1,385 I-129 (std; $695 small employer) + $500 fraud prevention + $4,500 (employers 50+ staff & >50% H/L) + $600 Asylum Program Fee + optional $2,965 premium

Requirements

• Worked for qualifying foreign company for 1 continuous year in past 3 years
• Transferring to US parent, subsidiary, affiliate, or branch
• Executive or managerial capacity
• US entity must be doing business

Documents you will need

• Form I-129 with L supplement: Petition filed by US entity
• Proof of qualifying relationship: Between US and foreign entities
• Employment verification letters: From foreign employer
• Organizational charts: Showing managerial role and structure
• Company documentation: Articles of incorporation, annual reports

Worth knowing

• No lottery or annual cap
• Blanket L-1 available for large multinationals
• L-2 spouse can work immediately with EAD
• Direct path to EB-1C green card (no PERM required)

Path to residency: EB-1C green card - no labor certification needed